The strength of racially segregated churches is often overlooked because, in the Western experience, segregation is equated with a lack of diversity and, therefore, assumed to be rooted in racism.
However, as long as a church is not intentionally ideologically separated from other believers, there is no biblical issue. Jesus came for the "whosoever ifs" (John 3:1-18)!
Some time ago, I produced a Youtube video explaining the theological errors of a Black pastor named Bryan Loritts, who leads a largely white congregation. I will not waste any more of my time dismantling his belief that racially diverse churches are key to racial healing in America but it i needful to unpack more with respect to why involuntary segregation is not evil.
People in Pastor Loritts’ position, being black leading "good white Christians" feel compelled to promote such unbiblical nonsense. Regular readers know I have spent considerable time exposing why Black pastors rarely preach hard truths, choosing instead to comfort people with feel-good messages (Isa. 30:9-10, 2 Tim. 4:3-4).
People like Loritts must not have read that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood…” (Ephesians 6:12). Knowing this, it is clear that there is no flesh-based solution to a spiritual problem (John 3:6, 1 Cor. 2:14).
Now, let’s examine why racially segregated churches or even tribally separated fellowships are just as strong as racially diverse groups. Theologically, it must be acknowledged that for at least the first 1,700 years of the Bible’s development (Torah), it was an exclusively Jewish (Semitic) document intended only for Hebrews (Genesis-Deuteronomy).
Jesus Himself, before announcing His mission to invite all into the faith, specifically stated that He came only for the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 15:24).
Therefore, before moving forward, we must recognize that the Bible was created by and for a non-diverse group of people whose doctrine even forbade marrying outside their own group (Deut. 7:3-4, Neh. 13:25-27, Ezra 9:12).
The Strengths of a Racially Segregated Church
In the New Testament, after declaring that He came first for the lost sheep of Israel, Jesus later stated that He had other sheep that are not of this fold (John 10:16). This was in fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy by Moses, which stated that the Lord would use a people that were not a people to provoke Israel to jealousy (Deut. 32:21).
These turned out to be the Gentiles, whom the Jewish apostle Paul was sent to bring into the fold, as Jesus had foretold (Acts 9:15, Acts 22:21, Rom. 11:13).
Although Israel, in Jesus’ time and through the Book of Revelation, was not entirely non-diverse, it was composed of people who would generally be considered of the same race, if not nationality (Gen. 48:5, John 4:5-12).
This is crucial to the subject because neither a racially diverse nor non-diverse society was ever indicated as a strength or weakness of any particular church. What determines the strength of a church is, first and foremost, the Holy Ghost, and more importantly, not racial diversity but rather the diversity of spiritual gifts that produce the fruits of the Spirit (Zech. 4:6, 2 Cor. 10:3-4, Eph. 6:10-12).
It is blasphemous to suggest that the mix of skin colors within a congregation makes it either stronger or weaker. What makes any fellowship strong or weak is whether it practices sin or Holy Ghost repentance and there is no other measure (Rev. 2:8-11, Rev. 3:14-22)!
Modern Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
In America, especially since the election of President Barack Obama in 2008, the issue of diversity, equity, and inclusion has dominated the national debate. This has intensified with the recent election and inauguration of the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.
Trump has moved to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives from the federal government, which has further empowered large corporations to remove them from their budgets as well.
As expected, Black preachers have taken to social media and any microphone they can find to call for a national rebellion against this effort. Never mind that, at least when a Democrat is in the White House, they love to quote Scripture about "God being in control and setting up and tearing down kings and leaders" (Dan. 2:21).
Many in their position misunderstand the diversity and spiritual issue for three key reasons:
1. Spiritual Gifts Outweigh Racial Balance
Multiracial societies, at least on the scale seen in the Western world, are a relatively new phenomenon. Whether in England, the larger British Empire, South America, or North America, the African slave trade drove much of this process, with ancient Rome being the primary outlier.
The Bible outlines the strength of the Body of Christ as the diversity of gifts including wisdom, knowledge, tongues, interpretation of tongues, discernment of spirits, working of miracles, and prophecy but not limited to of course (1 Cor. 12:4-27).
Nowhere does Scripture suggest that skin color is foundational to spiritual power or a necessary component of a healthy church and, as other texts already cited in this article, many others dispute this view.
2. Cultural Worldviews Create Tension
To teach that multiracial worship is superior directly calls God insufficient and implies that the foundation of the Gospel, the Law of Moses, is flawed (Num. 23:19, Psa. 118:8, Prov. 3:5-6, Rom. 3:4).
Throughout the Old Testament, beginning with Moses, the Lord commanded not only that mixing with other peoples was evil but that they should be utterly destroyed (Deut. 7:1-4, Josh. 6:17-21, 1 Sam. 15:3).
While the primary concern in this command was to keep God’s people away from sin rather than simply preventing racial mixing, it is undeniable that cultural differences can create tensions.
American churches today are divided not only by race but also by political ideology—split between MAGA Republicans, mainstream Republicans, Democrats, and Liberals (John 17:21, Eph. 4:3-6, Rom. 15:5-6). Furthermore, didn’t Paul plead with the church that they all speak the same thing (1 Cor. 1:10)?
3. It’s a Popular but Misguided Talking Point
Those who promote the doctrine of multiracial churches—especially Black pastors leading predominantly white congregations—do so out of confusion (Jer. 23:21, Deut. 18:20, 1 Cor. 14:33). However, there is a more fundamental reason behind spreading this false doctrine: it makes them appear less threatening to white congregants.
These individuals see themselves as grand, Holy Spirit-directed peacemakers, but nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, the Bible says, Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God, but peace must be based on truth, not on a lie (Matt. 5:9, 1 John 1:21).
If Scripture does not support the superiority of diverse churches over racially segregated congregations, then those who espouse this idea are lying.
Furthermore, Jesus Himself said He did not come to bring peace but a sword to divide (Matt. 10:34-36). Church segregation exists because white Christians historically did not—and largely still do not—desire to worship with those who do not look like them.
I worked with white Christians for more than seven years at the Denver Rescue Mission, and not only did senior leadership, led by then CEO Brad Meuli, not want black people in leadership roles, he actively made it known they only tolerated us.
Challenges to the Multiracial Church Argument
If proponents of this position wish to prove their case, they must provide:
Hard data analysis demonstrating measurable outcomes proving racial integration is superior to the alternative.
Non-Black pastors leading racially segregated churches making the same claims, rather than just Black men leading white congregations who feel pressured to “fit in.”
A biblical apologetic supporting their position.
Those who cite Revelation 7:9, which depicts “all nations, tribes, and tongues” standing before the throne, miss a key point. Even in this vision, the apostle John still recognized the distinct nations, tribes, and tongues that are Christians.
Others reference Galatians 3:28, which states that “there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female, but all are one in Christ Jesus.” However, this verse speaks to spiritual unity, not the erasure of physical distinctions.
Finally, the cross of Jesus Christ was never meant to bring all people together indiscriminately—it was always about separating humanity according to their response to its implications.
The effectiveness of a church is based on its operation in the fullness of spiritual gifts, not its racial diversity or cultural competence.
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